8 point plan to pass on your assets to spouse, children, heirs

To our shock and dismay we found that a recently deceased friend held all his assets in his sole name. The distraught wife who is still coming to terms with her loss will now have to run pillar to post trying to get her entitlements and benefits. She has to begin with establishing that she is the legally wedded spouse. When people argue over one investment or another, spending immense time making that decision, I so want to ask if they have